DPS Parser - ToS Violation?

[Beardfist]

There is actually a text log the game stores in the savegame directories (along with screenshots) I don't know if the tool is actually reading this or the game memory, but the latter is certainly violating the ToS.

Yes I know, that is why I said that it read the text log. I know for sure that several of the parsers I have seen use this method and as you pointed out, there is indeed a timestamp on everything. The only semblance of being live comes from the fact that the log files are updated nonstop.

[darkvision]

It is definitely not against the ToS. The line of the ToS that was quoted was referring to data mining, which has nothing at all to do with parsers. Parsers don't hook into anything, they just literally parse the text logs. If you would rather read the logs and do all the math yourself, then go for it, but just know that is exactly what parser does.

Actually the one that the OP is on about actually gets the information by hooking on to the FFXIV process and gathers information from the memory. it also has plans to gather alot of information from the game that is not available from logs and then supplying that information to a central database.

The parser that the OP is talking about IS against the ToS

[Zarkhov]

Whoa some of you people are taking it way too seriously. The DPS parsers are and always have been excellent tools as well as create some FRIENDLY competition in a raid group which results in overall dps increase. I do agree you cant always go by who is number 1 in the group. For example #1 DPS took 16k damage on a coil fight, however #2 took 1k damage in a coil fight. I would still be talking with #1 about trying to pad the meters and not evading damage. It would be a friendly conversation and give the #1 guy something to strive for, being #1 with lower damage taken.

You don't have to get a DPS parser if you don't want to, but honestly if you are running with someone that has one its not a bad idea to ask what your dps is and try a few things to improve it and then ask again. In my raids I don't really care what anyones DPS is as long as they are trying hard to win and the boss is dying. I really would only use it to monitor damage taken and possibly over healing(0-30% overhealing is acceptable).

Just like I tell the guys I raid with, if you get a DPS parser use it for self improvement and don't worry about comparing against the rest of the DPS. For example, a bard is continuously helping with mana return though this does affect his dps. Everyone understands this in my groups and no one hates on said persons damage. On the other hand I have a guy doing close to 300dps which he managed to get that high using a parser for self improvement and he strives to keep it up there since he knows where his peak is. Super friendly dude, he doesn't brag or belittle people as he is only using it to monitor his performance.

[svann]

Id like to know how parsers can even show dot damage. That is suspicious to me because dots are not reported by the client.

[Darken]

The parsers that exist are not accurate, and should only be used as a source of self improvement. Using a parser does not make people an elitist. It's what people do with the data from parsers, and how they treat others that make them elitist.

There are multiple ways you can use the parser within the TOS. You can always copy and past the combat log into the parser which can then sort the data for you. If that is all you are doing, I cant see how that could be considered mining data. What the ToS refers to as far as data mining is using 3rd party software to identify loot tables, hidden graphic models, ect. Sorting data in a text file is not harmful, and in no way damages the game.

Using the parser to view live combat data could be considered a violation, but I doubt SE is going to ban people for viewing a freaking combat log... I don't know of any recent mainstream MMO that has frowned upon a combat log parser.

[Yoseph]

My Anti Virus intercepts and collects information about the game also.

It is a 3rd party software product as well.

Is that also a ToS violation?

If not, SE needs to define this issue in depth.

[KisaiTenshi]

My Anti Virus intercepts and collects information about the game also.

It is a 3rd party software product as well.

Is that also a ToS violation?

If not, SE needs to define this issue in depth.

The antivirus software does not hook the program, therefor it does not collect information from the game. If you want to get into the legal sense of what they mean, it means you can't extract or manipulate data that the game uses. The Antivirus does not work at that level, it scans files upon "access" and delays the game from opening the file until it says OK, it doesn't change it. Likewise at the network level the antivirus scans the flash applet they use for the authentication mechanism but doesn't change it.

The software the bots are using on the other hand are directly manipulating the software by hooking. The DPS Parser for all we know may be hooking the text output of the game. As far as what harm can it do... not much really, I'd say it's rather weak to ban someone for using such a tool unless that tool was directly changing the behavior of the player (Eg telling other players they aren't welcome because they do low DPS or whatnot.) In another game I played, players were rather fond of modding the game to get a combat power value that the game server transmitted to the client, but wasn't shown. So the mod changed the game to show it... and enabled a bunch of other cheaty hacks as well. The players that could see the combat power would literately not play with players who displayed "inferior" combat values and likewise would pick "Easy" PvP targets based on the combat power score. Just based on this alone I'd say it's a ToS violation if it can provide any realtime data from hooking the game that isn't readily available.

[Ervin]

A third party parser program would be against the ToS.

And what need is there with a parser? People drew up nightmare stories and nightmare scenarios when I was still leveling, about how this, that and his grandma being "so hard unless you are geared". For instance AK, Garuda, Titan etc. I started doing them straight of the bat (except Titan) in the 50/55 class pieces, random collection of rings/necks/ears etc of different levels (28-40 some white non HQ and some pinks) and an ifrit weapon as a warrior tank. I've had no trouble whatsoever, AK has probably been the most simple dungeon there is so far (not counting zerg fest 8 man castrum and that other place where you can be half asleep most of the time).

The troubles I've had havent been healing, damage or tanking issues that a parser can show. It's been people issues, bad players that couldnt handle it even in the BiS gear. People that dps their brains out as healers, people that wont avoid AoE, people that cant follow simple connect-the-dot tactics. There arent enough option when it comes to gear or specs in this game to give a parser any real value. No optional traits or talent trees, just 30 attribute points and 5 optional skills (not many to pick from). Peoples reaction times are whats killing 8 man Titans, just like poor timed stuns or the lack there off kills Ifrit runs, but thats not something you need a parser to figure out.

[Gonzothegreat198]

What's really funny about this, is that the DPS Parser in question was originally made for and has been used since FFXI. You would think that if said parser was considered illegal by SE, it would have been dealt with by now.

[ZohnoReecho]

The parser i know reads the logs available in the character's directory. It works even when the game is not running. It's like opening them with notepad.
And dots cannot be parsed but estimated. The server sends you a total of the dots applied to the mob from all the players every tick, so even if they were in the log, it wouldn't tell you the dot of a single ability.